Key Takeaways: Young people in India's Haryana state are abandoning the perilous "donkey route" to the US. Instead, they are turning to Germany, drawn by its Opportunity Card for skilled workers, tuition-free education, and clear legal pathways. This shift follows a wave of deportations from the US and reflects a growing trend of Indian migration to the EU.
A significant shift is underway in the migration dreams of young Indians. In the northern state of Haryana, known for high emigration, the dangerous and illegal "donkey route" to the United States is losing its appeal. In its place, a new destination is capturing imaginations: Germany.
Driven by offers of tuition-free university education and comparatively better job prospects, interest in learning the German language has surged. Local language institutes report a boom in enrollment, with nearly every district now hosting multiple schools.
The Pull of Legal Pathways to Europe
The trend coincides with a stream of deportations of illegal immigrants from the US back to Haryana over the past year. This has pushed young people and their families toward safer, legal alternatives within the European Union.
Germany's proactive immigration policies are a major draw. The German Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a dedicated visa for skilled non-EU workers seeking employment. Remarkably, around one-third of all these cards are issued to Indian nationals.
Kaspar Meyer, spokesperson for the German Embassy in India, confirmed the growing interest: "Since the Covid pandemic, the number of visas issued in India has grown at double-digit rates each year, both for Schengen and national visas, and we expect this trend to continue."
Haryana is believed to be among the top three Indian states for German visa applications. Indians now form the largest group of foreign students in Germany, with approximately 60,000 enrolled—a figure that has more than doubled since 2020.
From Language Courses to German Careers
The journey often begins in local institutes. Companies like Hisar-based SkyTech Destination offer 8 to 10-month German language courses (B1 level), priced between ₹80,000 and ₹1 lakh.
"There are over 400 internship-based programmes in Germany that allow students to find jobs in nursing, retail, food processing and logistics," said Rajesh Kundu, SkyTech's director. He notes that as students face increasing challenges in traditional destinations like Canada, Australia, the US, and the UK, Germany is becoming the preferred choice.
The model is attractive: combine language learning with access to Germany's dual education system, which integrates classroom study with paid, on-the-job training.
Personal Stories of a Safer Dream
The shift is personal. Take Suman (28), her sister Ranjana (18), and their younger sibling Yogita (15) from Dhani Siswal village. Suman and Ranjana have completed their B1 German course.
"I know German is a tough language, but I don't want to take the kind of risks others did," Suman said, referring to the "donkey route." Holding a master's degree, she aims to secure a job through a German internship programme to support her family. Her father, Balraj Saini, echoes the sentiment: "We own just half an acre of farmland but we are keen that Suman takes a safer route abroad."
Success stories are fueling the trend. Preetika Tanwar (21) from Bhiwani district completed her language course and is now in a dual degree programme in food processing. Attached to the Adeka Group, she earns 950 euros per month with free accommodation and expects her salary to rise to around 3,000 euros after the three-year programme.
Her brother Tejinder (19) and neighbours Muskan (21), Shweta (19), and Sakshi (21) are now following in her footsteps, with confirmations for nursing course admissions in hand.
A Strategic Shift in Global Mobility
This movement represents more than a change in destination. It signifies a strategic pivot by Indian youth and their families toward:
- Legal Security: Choosing regulated visa schemes over dangerous irregular migration.
- Economic Calculation: Opting for countries with strong job markets and social systems.
- Long-term Planning: Investing in language skills and recognized qualifications for sustainable careers.
The Haryana government's Foreign Cooperation Department states it facilitates such opportunities for youth seeking employment in European countries. As barriers rise in traditional Anglophone countries, Germany's open doors and structured pathways are redrawing the map of Indian aspiration, channeling talent legally into the heart of the Schengen Area.